Sounds of Manila’s debut album available at April 27 OPM concert
Sounds of Manila
The album, a tribute to the legendary composer Azarcon, includes timeless love songs, such as “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” “Even If,” “How Did You Know,” and “I Think I’m In Love.”
“These are songs have inspired and treasured by generations of Filipinos and Filipino Americans for nearly four decades,” said Ronnie Sabangan, SOM’s bassist and bandleader.
SOM’s debut album tracks are as follows:
• “All My Tomorrow,” a new duet
• “Help Me Forget,” rearranged as a duet, originally sung solo by Kuh Ledesma
• “I Think I’m In Love,” rearranged as a male solo cover, originally sung by Kuh Ledesma
• “Once It’s In Your Heart,” a new song, also recently recorded by Kuh Ledesma’s daughter Isabella in the Philippines
• “Special Memory,” performed by Angeles, originally sung by female recording artist Iwi Laurel
• “How Did You Know,” rearranged as a duet, originally sung by Chiqui Pineda
• “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” rearranged as a duet, originally sung solo by Martin Nievera
• “Even If,” rearranged as an upbeat track, originally sung by Jam Morales
• “One More Try,” performed by Angeles, originally sung solo by Kuh Ledesma, and recently used as the theme song for the soap opera “My Husband’s Lover”
• “’Di Na Maghahanap Kailan pa man,” a new inspirational song, also recently recorded by Azarcon’s nephew Timmy Pavino for Star Records in the Philippines
It will be available at the concert venue at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space and in digital stores soon.
SOM, a band that specializes in ‘80s to ‘90s Manila sound, is entering its sixth year in the business. The debut album took nearly three years to finish. Besides Ronnie Sabangan, the other band members are Suzanne Lansangan-Sabangan (vocalist), who is married to Ronnie, Hermie Angeles (vocalist), Bobby de Leon (keyboardist), Aaron Garcia (guitarist), and JR Gendrano (drummer).
“It took us three years to plan, record, and mix the album because we all have day jobs and we had to raise funds,” said Ronnie. “We laid down the vocal tracks for four days in California with the direct supervision of Ms. Azarcon and Mr. Illustre; but after that we were only able to finish one song every six months.”
Hermie Angeles added, “It’s been overwhelming and humbling to have worked with Ms. Azarcon and Mr. Illustre. Both are very down to earth and helpful.”
“For 35 years, pinasaya tayo ng music ni Ms. Azarcon. Sa maraming aspects ng buhay natin—malungkot man or masaya— kasama natin ang mga kanta n’ya. The time is ripe to personally thank Ms. Azarcon for all her contributions to OPM,” said Suzanne Sabangan.
The concert “An Evening of Original Philippine Music with Cecile Azarcon and Sounds of Manila” is being produced by Synergy Production & Marketing Inc. Featured guest artists are Arnel Arcedo, Tony Gado, Jared Martin, Tiffany Viray, and Carlo Tampac of Chapter 2 band.
For tickets ($60-VIP, $45-Orchestra, and $35-Balcony), visit or call Symphony Space box office at 212-864-5400 from Tuesday to Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. You may also buy tickets by calling Synergy at 212-206-1627.
